Burglar and warning alarm and system

ABSTRACT

A warning and alarm system, as for burglar-detection fire protection or other monitoring tasks, which provides plural advantages including a variety of sensing or monitoring means and stations, a system of indicator lights to pinpoint to the owner a specific station of the system in which is then occurring some happening of a type being monitored, means causing an alarm and other actuations for a predetermined interval, etc.

United States Patent [191 Curtis BURGLAR AND WARNING ALARM AND SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Ralph H. Curtis, 1106 S. Beacon,

Muncie, Ind. 47302 Filed: June 4, 1973 Appl. No.: 366,647

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 237,965, March 24,

[52] US. Cl 340/276, 340/420, 335/17, 318/452 [51] lnt. Cl. G08b 13/08 [58] Field of Search 340/213, 276, 274, 409, 340/420, 213 R; 318/452; 335/17 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,540,043 11/1970 Crosthwait 340/213 ISI [ 1 Mar. 18, 1975 Primary Examiner-John W. Caldwell Assistant Examiner-William M. Wannisky Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert A. Spray [57] ABSTRACT A warning and alarm system, as for burglar-detection fire protection or other monitoring tasks, which provides plural advantages including a variety of sensing or monitoring means and stations, a system of indicator lights to pinpoint to the owner a specific station of the system in which is then occurring some happening of a type being monitored, means causing an alarm and other actuations for a predetermined interval, etc.

12 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure 6,68 I52 a t BURGLAR AND WARNING ALARM AND SYSTEM This application is a eontinuation-in-part of applicants co-pending U.S.v Pat. application, Ser. No. 237,965, filed Mar. 24, 1972, entitled Burglar Alarm. This invention relates to alarm systems, and more particularly to an alarm or warning system for burglardetection, fire-prevention, or other happenings to be monitored.

Concepts of the invention provide an alarm or warning system which provides, by novel concepts and circuitry, several different operational and functional advantages.

For example, it provides an alarm buzzer and/or a loud siren or bell or other loud signal, a timed actuation period, .a plurality of monitoring areas or stations each having an indicator light for instantly advising and alerting the owner as to the precise location of the monitored happening, etc. Other operativity is set forth in the setting forth the functional features of the illustrative embodiment.

The above is of a generalized and introductory nature. The particular details, concepts, and features of the invention are more fully set forth and described in more detail in the following more detailed description of an embodiment to illustrate the inventive concepts, the description being taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are somewhat diagrammatic in nature, and in which:

The single FIGURE of the accompanying drawings is a schematic circuitry representation of the overall alarm and warning system, according to the inventive concepts and features.

in these drawings, certain of the plural-location components are shown or illustrated by only a schematic lesser number of those components, thus to be illustrative of the concepts but without obscuring the various circuits and sub-circuits with repetitive showings.

This alarm or warning system, as shown by the circuitry showing in the drawings, is now described in detail, in an embodiment which provides both burglardetection and fire-detection.

Power is supplied from an external l20-volt line shown at 6, having lines 8 and 10. From line 8, there extends a branch circuit 12, which is fused at 14, and

from line 12 extends a branch circuit 16. Circuit 16, which connects to line 10, is a power on indicator circuit, having an indicator light 18 which is on whenever there is closed a manual switch 20 in circuit 12.

In parallel with the indicator circuit 16, a circuit 22 interconnects lines 12 and 10, and in line 22 there is the primary coil 24 of a transformer 26; and thus it is seen that the coil 24 is energized, along with indicator light 18, when the switch 20 is closed.

The transformer 26 has two secondary windings, respectively 28 and 30, which provide 24 and 16 volts for circuitry hereinafter described, the 16 volts existing between a left terminal 32 and a common central terminal 34, and the 24 volts existing between that central terminal 34 and the right terminal 36.

I. Buzzer" activation by a Burglar, and Energization of Alarm Relay 50:

The operational nature is controlled by a manual double pole double .throw switch 38. In its rightward setting the blade 40 of switch 38 interconnects a line 42 and a line 44, the line 42 containing a l6-volt buzzer I 46 which via line 47 is connected to central terminal 34 of transformer 26.

The rightward position of blade 40 of switch 38 is thus a buzzer setting of that switch 38; for line 44 is operatively connected to that transformers right terminal 36 by the route as follows, which senses intruders, by closure of one of the burglar switches 48 in detection means yet described. That buzzer route from line 44 is as follows: Through a blade 49 of an alarm relay 50 when that blade is in its rightward setting upon energization of that relays coil 52 as described hereinafter and through a line 54, from the switch blade 49, to the terminal 36, it being noted that the coil 52 of relay 50 is energized upon a burglar closing any one of the sensor switches 48; for any of sensor switches 48 close its respective circuit 56 from a circuit 58 connected to a line 60, leading through either of the parallel switches interior switch 62 or an exterior switch 64, to a circuit 66 connected to transformer terminal 36.

The respective sensor circuit 56, each of which has a sensor switch 48 and a sensor-location light 68, leads through a line 69 to one (the right) side of coil 52 of relay 50, that is, the circuit 56 leads through a line 690 through a switch 69b (see later) to the line 69.

The other (left) side of coil 52 of relay 50 is connected to a line 70 which leads to a line 72 connected to transformer terminal 32; and the lines 70 and 72 are connected by a blade 74 which is pushed into that circuit-closing position by a node 76 of a timer cam 78 (of a timer 80) in the at-rest or non-actuated condition of the timer 80. (Much more concerning the timer 80 is described hereinafter.)

II. Activation of Siren 100, with Buzzer 46 Off:

Energization of coil 52 of alarm relay 50 by a burglar sensor switch 48 (described above) also draws blade 82 of relay 50 rightward. When this occurs, it closes a cir' cuit 83 (from main line 8 through a circuit 84 fused at 86 and through a blade 87 of operational nature switch 38 in its non-buzzer setting) through that relay blade 82, to a circuit 88 to a switch 90 (which is normally closed except when momentarily nudged open by a very narrow node 92 of a cam 94 of timer 80) through a siren-cutout switch 96, and a line 98 leading to the siren 100. The other side of the siren 100 connects via line 102 to a main line 104 connected to the line 10 opposite line 8.

III. Actuation of Warning Light 107:

Energization of line 88, just described, energizes connected line 106 leading to warning light 107 connected to the line 104 connected to main line 10. This also energizes the motor 108 of timer 80, the motor being in a circuit 109 which is in parallel with the light 107.

The warning light 107 and the motor 108 of timer 80 are actuated independently of line 88 (and thus regardless of the non-buzzer" leftward setting of blade 87 of mode-control switch 38) by a line 110 connected to line 84\ahead of switch 38; and line 110 is connected to the warning light 107 and timer motor 108 by the blade 112 of timer 80, the blade 112 being in its rightward or circuit-closing position by a depression 114 of timer cam 116, thus connecting blade 112 to line 106 by a connector line 117.

IV. Holding the Energization of Alarm Relay 50:

Energization of alarm relay 50, and its consequent energization of line 44 from transformer terminal 36 (as described above) acts through blade 40 of modecontrol switch 38, when blade 40 is in its leftward (or non-buzzer) position, to energize line 118.

The above-described charging of line 118, in turn acts through a line 125 to charge the coil 126 of a relay 128 (actuation described hereinafter); for the opposite terminal of coil 126 is connected to a line 130 connected to a line 132 connected to the rightward terminal contacted by blade 74 when it is in the rightward setting in which the cam-node 76 is off its shown at-rest position, thus also connecting the line 72 which as stated above is connected to transformer terminal 32.

The charge of coil 126 of relay 128 is maintained by connection to line 72, independently of the setting of blade 74 of timer cam 78, by the line 130 being connected to a line 133 which connects to a line 134 connected to line 72 through a switch blade 135 of relay 128 when the blade 135 is in its rightward position as caused by energization of the coil 126 of that relay 128.

The line 118, whose charging is described above, is connected to a light 136 the opposite side of which is connected to line 69a.

The relay 122 mentioned above has an actuating coil 138 which is energized by any of other burglar-sensing switches 140 as follows: One line 142 from coil 138 connects to transformer terminal 34; and the other line 144 from coil 138 leads to a line 146 to which (in parallel) are connected one side of those switches 140, the other side of switches 140 being connected to the line 60 connected to transformer terminal 36 as mentioned above.

When the coil 138 of relay 122 is energized, the rightward setting of its blade 120 interconnects a line 148 (connected to transformer terminal 36) to the line 118, thus energizing that line 118 and light 136 independently of the setting of blade 40 of mode-control switch 38.

The light 136 and related parts are involved in a locking in process. That is, the line 125 holds'the relay 122 locked (rightwardly-acting on blade 120) if any one of the switches 48 are left closed. (That would occur, for example, if a burglar opened a door or'windowvand left or propped it open throughout and past the timer 80 cycle, planning to re-enter after the cycle had de-energized the various warning elements.) But even if that situation existed, the system would be retripped or re-started by the burglar stepping on a pad 140.

When the cam 116 of timer 80 is in the position in which blade 122 of cam 116 is in its rightward position, the line 110 (from lines 84 and 8) is connected through a line 117 to line 106; thus the light 107 and timer motor 108 are energized (when the motor 108 of timer 80 has moved the cam 116 to have the switch blade 112 in its rightward position) independently of energization of line 106 by line 88 through blade 82 of relay 50 to line 83 and blade 87 by a non-buzzer (leftward) setting of mode switch 3.8 which in that leftward setting interconnects line 83 to lines 84 and 8.

The other cam 149 of the timer 80 has a node 149a which controls a switch blade 14% (which is con nected through a line 150 to the always-hot line 110) to connect either of poles 1500 or 150!) respectively connected to lines 151a and 1511:. These lines 151a and 151b, each with a parallel lead from the line 104, provide female auxiliary reception plugs or jacks 1510 and 151d, providing advantageous power outlets,-

which are powered or non-powered depending upon energization of the timer 80.

' For example, in its non-powered setting (as shown) timer cam node 149a of cam 149 holds switch 14% leftward against contact 150a, to power line 151a and hence also outlet 1510, whereas whenever timer is actuated, the node 1490 of timer cam 149 acts to close the blade 14% to the contact 150b, and hence energizing line 15lb and outlet 151d.

Thus, for example, leisure-use appliances such as a television or radio could be plugged into the outlet 151e, for use in non-burglar situations, but burglarrelated equipment such as, for example, a camera or lights or a tape-recorder could be plugged into the timer-energized outlet 151d.

Thus, if a burglar or fire occurred (or whatever condition or situation is beingsensed or monitored). the timer 80 would switch current (from line 8, 84, 110, and blade 14%) from outlet 151C to outlet 151d, energizing that outlet 151d for'the duration of the timer 80.

The switch schematically shown at l5le is a fireactuator switch which works as does the switches 48 except that it is close or set off by heat of a pre-set temperature in contrast to the closure of switches 48 by a burglar opening a door or window, etc; and the light l5lf is in series with the heat-responsive switch 151e and connects to the line 69a, all similarly to the burglar-line components 56-48-68, except that the heatwarning components 151e and 151]" are connected directly to circuit 66 bypassing either the switches 62 and 64, providing fire protection whether or not burglar protection is being desired at the time.

It will be noted that the switch blade 69b of relay 128 is used to break the connection between lines 69 and 69a. This releases the relay 50 after the timer 80 has been activated and has locked in the relay 128 through energization of the relays coil 126. specifications as to Components:

As shown, the switches and relays are as follows: Mode switch 38 is double pole, double throw; burglarsensor switches 48 are of normally closed type but adapted to be propped or held open by a structural component such as a window lug which will be moved by a burglar thus closing the switch, and if desired, one or more of the switches 48 can be of fire-sensitive type to warn of tires instead of burglars, it being noted that the schematic representation 152 (in parallel with the other branch circuitry 48-56-68) represents any desired additional number of such switches 48 with their corresponding indicator lights 68, those lights 68 desirably being on some control panel 153 and each identified by the location of its sensor switch 48.

Alarm relay 50 is double pole, double throw; interior switch 62 is single pole, single throw; exterior switch 64 is also single pole, single throw.

Timer 80 has a single pole, single throw switch actuated by timer cam 94, and a single pole, double throw switch 149!) actuated by timer cam 149 and a single pole, double throw switch 74 actuated by cam 78, and a single pole, single throw switch 112 actuated by cam 116; relay 122 has a single pole, double throw switch relay 128 has a single pole, single throw switch and a single pole single throw switch 69b.

The switches are desirably switches which are normally open but automatically closable by weight or pressure, called sometimes trip pads or runner switches, it being noted that the schematic representation 154 (in parallel with pads 140) represents any additional number of such switches.

The transformer 26 is shown of tri-voltage type, providing a choice of 846-24 volts from a llO-volt supply. This provides for the supplying of various low voltages throughout the alarm system.

The relays 50, 128, and 122 work together or independently, to supply contacts to various leads, depend ing upon various operations desired by the consumer or different tactics used by those committing burglary. These relays are of 5 amp type.

The timer 80 is of the 1 l VAC 50-60 cycle type. Its four single pole, double throw switches are operated by the four earns (94, 149, 78, and 116) respectively, all driven by timer motor 108 and revolving or working at the same time. It provides this alarm system with a great amount of versatility. This particular timer 80 has a 5 minute cycle, although if desired it can also be operated by a timer means of a different type, such as for example a ten, fifteen, or twenty minute type. i

The cam 94 operates the siren 100 in the form shown, but if desired, it could also operate bells and other noise makers or alarms of the l l OVAC type.

Cam 149 is optional in its operations. Through circuit l51b and outlet 151d it can operate cameras, tape recorders, flood lights, etc., even though in the non-alarm situation it permits energization of line 151a and outlet 151C to operate appliances such as television or radios.

The cam .78 operates the relay 128, by closure of lines 132 and 130, with line 72, energizing the coil 126 of that relay 128; and the timer cam 116 operates the timer 80 itself by its motor 108;

The mode control switch 38 is of 3 amp type. Blade 40 of this switch 38 is used (in rightward position) when desiring buzzer 46 protection only, although it also may be used when wishing to test the system for workability without setting off the siren 100.

Blade 87 of that switch 38 is used for actuating complete alarm.

The switch is a single pole, single throw type 3 amp, I IOVAC, and is the switch to turn on or off the transformer 26.

The switch 62 is a single pole, single throw 3 amp IIOVAC switch, used for turning the burglar and/or fire alarm on an inside-protected home or business. The switch 64 is a single pole, single throw 3 amp ll0VAC type, electrical key switch. It is used outside of the home or business for the turning of system on and off.

Each of the switches 48 are normally closed switches, each to be mounted in a window or door frame. Those switches 48 are held open by door or window or by some mechanical abutment, such as a trigger mounted to the door or window.

The switches 140 (runner or trip pads) are of normally open type, and are provided in various sizes, shapes, and dimensions to cover various amounts of area to be protected.

The heat-responsive switch 151:: is of a normally open type, fire or heat actuated. Various heat degrees cause closure of its contacts, depending on the heat or temperature desired for actuation.

The switch 96 is a single pole, single throw, 3 amp type. It allows current to enter and operate the siren 100 when desired.

The buzzer 46 is an 8VAC type, and serves to alert or awaken the alarm systems owner. However, it may means used by patients or sick persons in a home to no- 1 tify others throughout the home of their needs.

Various other alternatives are within the overall inventive concepts. For example, if desired as for greenhouses or other installations such as breeding or hatching rooms, a switch such as schematically illustrated at 151s could be responsive to a certain low-temperature in contrast to a fire-temperature-responsive switch indicated above, thus providing a warning as to freezing or other unduly low temperatures as being the happening monitored.

Desirably the central panel for the battery of indicator lights 68 would be installed in the optimum location for the particular house or building being monitored. Moreover, the lights 68 are desirably color-coded, for example, red for a light such as l5lfwhich warns as to a high-temperature or fire situation (although the same light 15lf in a freeze-sensitive monitoring may be white), amber or yellow for all the door-indicators, and green for window indicators. Particularly would this be desirable in a usual situation in which the system-owner would be awakened out of a deep sleep.

It is thus seen that an overall system according to the inventive concepts provides a desired and advantageous warning and monitoring system, which achieves multi-purpose effects and advantages as set forth herein.

Accordingly, it will thus be seen from the foregoing description of the invention according to this illustrative embodiment, considered with the accompanying drawings, that the present invention provides a new and useful alarm system, having desired advantages and characteristics, and accomplishing its intended objects, including those hereinbcfore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

Modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the invention; accordingly, the invention is not limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described or shown.

What is claimed is:

1. A warning and alarm system, comprising:

a plurality of sensing devices to monitor a certain happening;

each sensing device having operatively associated therewith electrical circuitry whose energization is related to the actuation of the respective sensing device;

and a panel or grouping of monitoring indicator means, each respectively operatively associated with a certain one of said sensing devices, and with the certain respective said electrical circuitry associated with a respective sensing device, designating to the user the particular sensing device which is in the area or place of a happening being monitored by said system;

in a combination in which relays exclusively of normally-closed type are provided in the said circuitry to transfer power, during a said happening, to the said monitoring indicator means and thereby energizing the same to provide the specified operativity thereof;

and in which the sensing devices are of at least two different sets, and in which a happening-actuation of a sensing device of one of the sets will actuate the respective monitoring indicator means thereof irrespective of whether a sensing device of another of the sets has been actuated.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the system is provided with a buzzer means, and also with a mode" control switch which when in one position or setting actuates said buzzer means when any of said sensing devices sense a said happening.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the system is provided with a timer means, there being provided energization means actuating said timer means as an incident to one of said sensing devices sensing one of said happenings.

4. The invention as set forth in'claim 3 in a combination in which the system is provided also with an audible signal means, and there being provided energization means actuating said audible signal means as an incident to one of said sensing devices sensing one of said happenings.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 2 in a combination in which the mode control switch is operative in another position or setting to render said buzzer means inoperative even though one of said sensing devices is sensing a said happening being monitored.

6., The invention as set forth in claim 5 in a combination in which there is also provided an audible signal means in addition to said buzzer means, and said other position of said mode control switch renders said audible signal means inoperative even though one of said sensing devices is sensing a said happening being monitored, but nevertheless the actuation ofa particular one of said indicator means indicates the location of the happening being sensed.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which sensing devices are provided by which the timer means is re-energized and thus re-actuated upon said sensing devices sensing a happening being monitored even if that happening is different from the happening whose sensing had just previously actuated said timer means, these said sensing devices being one of the sets mentioned in claim 1.

8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the sensing devices of each of said sets are adapted to operatively sense a certain type of happenmg.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 1, in a combination in which the system includes a first audible means and an alarm buzzer means; and the system also includes a mode control switch and associated circuitry which optionally activates either of said audible or buzzer means upon the existence of a monitored happening being sensed by one of said sensing devices.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 9, in a combination in which the mode control switch circuitry includes a first relay means, and the system includes a timer means which is energizable upon the occurrence of a happening being monitored, and the system also includes a, second relay means which is responsive to said timer means having begun its cycle and which when energized is operative to change the setting of the said first relay means to cause it to not be a component upon which the energization of the timer means depends, thereby permitting the systems timer means to be de-energized upon the completion of a timing cycle and permitting the sensing of a subsequent monitored happening to re-set the said first relay means and restart the said timer means.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 10, in a combination in which the said timer means is operative upon the completion of its cycle to de-energize the said second relay means if, at the time of the completion of the cycle of the said timer means, there is then occurring no happening of the monitored type being sensed.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11, in a combination in which there is also provided a third relay means, which, in the event of a monitored happening still occurring at the end of a cycle of said timer means, which happening still occurring would leave the said second relay means energized to prevent the said first relay means from re-starting the said timer means in response to the occurrence of a subsequent happening being monitored, is operative to de-energize the said second relay means to permit the said first relay means to be re-actuated by a monitored happening occurring subsequent to the end of the said timer means cycle. =i 

1. A warning and alarm system, comprising: a plurality of sensing devices to monitor a certain happening; each sensing device having operatively associated therewith electrical circuitry whose energization is related to the actuation of the respective sensing device; and a panel or grouping of monitoring indicator means, each respectively operatively associated with a certain one of said sensing devices, and with the certain respective said electrical circuitry associated with a respective sensing device, designating to the user the particular sensing device which is in the area or place of a happening being monitored by said system; in a combination in which relays exclusively of normally-closed type are provided in the said circuitry to transfer power, during a said happening, to the said monitoring indicator means and thereby energizing the same to provide the specified operativity thereof; and in which the sensing devices are of at least two different sets, and in which a happening-actuation of a sensing device of one of the sets will actuate the respective monitoring indicator means thereof irrespective of whether a sensing device of another of the sets has been actuated.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the system is provided with a buzzer means, and also with a mode control switch which when in one position or setting actuates said buzzer means when any of said sensing devices sense a said happening.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the system is provided with a timer means, there being provided energization means actuating said timer means as an incident to one of said sensing devices sensing one of said happenings.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which the system is provided also with an audible signal means, and there being provided energization means actuating said audible signal means as an incident to one of said sensing devices sensing one of said happenings.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 2 in a combination in which the mode control switch is operative in another position or setting to render said buzzer means inoperative even though one of said sensing devices is sensing a said happening being monitored.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 in a combination in which there is also provided an audible signal means in addition to said buzzer means, and said other position of said mode control switch renders said audible signal means inoperative even though one of said sensing devices is sensing a said happening being monitored, but nevertheless the actuation of a particular one of said indicator means indicates the location of the happening being sensed.
 7. The invention as set forth in claim 3 in a combination in which sensing devices are provided by which the timer means is re-energized and thus re-actuated upon said sensing devices sensing a happening being monitored even if that happening is different from the happening whose sensing had just previously actuated said timer means, these said sensing devices being one of the sets mentioned in claim
 1. 8. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the sensing devices of each of said sets are adapted to operatively sense a certain type of happening.
 9. The invention as set forth in claim 1, in a combination in which the system includes a first audible means and an alarm buzzer means; and the system also includes a mode control switch and associated circuitry whiCh optionally activates either of said audible or buzzer means upon the existence of a monitored happening being sensed by one of said sensing devices.
 10. The invention as set forth in claim 9, in a combination in which the mode control switch circuitry includes a first relay means, and the system includes a timer means which is energizable upon the occurrence of a happening being monitored, and the system also includes a second relay means which is responsive to said timer means having begun its cycle and which when energized is operative to change the setting of the said first relay means to cause it to not be a component upon which the energization of the timer means depends, thereby permitting the system''s timer means to be de-energized upon the completion of a timing cycle and permitting the sensing of a subsequent monitored happening to re-set the said first relay means and re-start the said timer means.
 11. The invention as set forth in claim 10, in a combination in which the said timer means is operative upon the completion of its cycle to de-energize the said second relay means if, at the time of the completion of the cycle of the said timer means, there is then occurring no happening of the monitored type being sensed.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 11, in a combination in which there is also provided a third relay means, which, in the event of a monitored happening still occurring at the end of a cycle of said timer means, which happening still occurring would leave the said second relay means energized to prevent the said first relay means from re-starting the said timer means in response to the occurrence of a subsequent happening being monitored, is operative to de-energize the said second relay means to permit the said first relay means to be re-actuated by a monitored happening occurring subsequent to the end of the said timer means'' cycle. 